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U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that he would not permit Israel to annex the West Bank, rejecting calls from far-right Israeli politicians and reaffirming his stance on preserving the possibility of a Palestinian state. Speaking at the White House, Trump stressed, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. It’s not going to happen.” The comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York to address the United Nations.
The issue of annexation has fueled regional tensions, with Arab leaders warning Trump of the grave consequences. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, emphasized that Trump fully understands the risks. Internationally, countries such as France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have recently recognized Palestinian statehood in an effort to keep the two-state solution alive—moves strongly condemned by Israel.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank, deemed illegal under international law, continue to expand. Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel, citing historical and security reasons, disputes the illegality of these settlements. The controversial E1 settlement project, which cuts across Palestinian territory near East Jerusalem, has drawn sharp criticism from global leaders. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has openly stated that a Palestinian state is “being erased from the table.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. has presented a 21-point Middle East peace plan to regional leaders, aiming to resolve the nearly two-year Gaza war. Trump confirmed discussions with Middle Eastern representatives and Netanyahu, saying progress toward a Gaza deal could come soon. Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, while about 48 hostages from the October 7 Hamas attack remain in captivity.
Global outrage over Israel’s actions has intensified, with Italy and Spain deploying naval ships to assist humanitarian flotillas delivering aid to Gaza. Despite mounting pressure, the conflict shows little sign of resolution.
